New Year, New You 2010

At the start of the New Year most of us are inclined to make a resolution or two. Whether for the fun of it (more coffee dates with friends) or a more practical purpose (spend less money on coffee) this tradition does have its merits.

But to get a resolution to stick it has to be three things: something we really want to do, something we feel will improve our lives and (let’s face it) something that is fairly easy to obtain.

One change that should be at the top of everyone’s list is decreasing our exposure to toxic chemicals. This may sound challenging, if not impossible. Right? It really is a lot simpler that you may think. By taking a few easy steps you can minimize your exposure to harmful substances and live a healthier lifestyle, helping out our earth along the way.

Choose one of area of your life and start there. Thinking globally, in this case, could seem overwhelming and discourage any progress. Take the kitchen, for example. Start with one food group – like produce. For the first month switch from conventionally grown fruits and veg to organically grown. Making these simple choices at the grocery will clear your diet of significant amounts of toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Meat and dairy are other areas of high concern as these products often contain hormones and antibiotics. Put this on next month’s shopping list.

Take a look in your bathroom cupboard. The fact that you are here reading this right now means that you are probably off to a good start. Again, clearing out your entire beauty kit may not be practical. Start off with products that sit on your skin the longest. Since cleansers are washed off right away, the ingredients have less opportunity to be absorbed by your skin. Your moisturizer, on the other hand, is worn all day. By switching out your facial and body moisturizers first you are minimizing your exposure to harmful chemical ingredients. Make it a goal to replace a different beauty product every few weeks until your entire beauty regimen is toxin-free.

One area often overlooked is cleaning products. From laundry detergent to our counter top spray, these products can contain loads of harmful ingredients. You can make your own cleaning products that are effective and safe with ingredients from your kitchen. Baking soda makes a great scrub for sinks, bathtubs and toilets and is super economical. White vinegar mixed with a drop or two of dish washing liquid is perfect for cleaning glass and floors. For more ideas on making your own cleaning products visit Care2.com.

By starting small and setting obtainable goals you can create a healthier and more eco-friendly lifestyle in 2010. And like anything else, it gets easier as you go.